ECNS Wire

Kevin Rudd suggests China, U.S. work on a common cause to build trust

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2015-11-09 11:27Ecns.cnEditor: Qian Ruisha

Kevin Rudd says China and the U.S. should adopt a "common strategic narrative" to built trust. (Photo: ECNS.cn/Qian Ruisha)

(ECNS) – Fundamental contradictions still exist between China and the U.S., but the two countries could enhance mutual trust by working on common missions, said Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

"China and the U.S. should work toward a new framework of constructive realism," Rudd said in an interview with ECNS News at the 2015 International Finance Forum, held in Beijing from November 6 to 8.

"Specifically, the two should discuss the possibility of a regional framework in which they could join hands and work for a common purpose," Rudd said.

Rudd has said in previous interviews that lack of mutual trust is one of the major reasons leading to conflicts between the world's two largest economies. He said that instead of focusing on the problem today, China and the U.S. should form a long-term alliance, and accumulate political trust through continuous cooperation.

He also said the meeting of China, South Korea and Japan in October was a good example of putting aside differences and focusing on common goals.

On other fronts, Rudd said he firmly believes that the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) "has to have China's participation."

"My concern is that if some countries are in this regional agreement while others are in that, troubles will arise," he said, adding that he opposes using trade policies to separate regions.

China has been left out of the TPP, which many commentators say is a mistake, as China is already a leading economic player in the region.